Gameday Recap

Chicago Force Rout the Wolves 58-0

Stiehm Stadium – The Chicago Force headed north to battle the Wisconsin Wolves - and the weather - in the first road trip of the season. As the Chicago team bus rolled into Wausau, the temperature plunged and snow began to swirl. When game day captains (selected for their play in the previous week) Albi Zhubi, Sami Scurto, Lindsey Jacob and Dawn Pederson walked out for the coin toss, the field was a blanket of icy snow.

The cold didn't seem to bother WR Angel Mason who took a short pass from QB Sami Grisafe and sprinted 52 yards to score on Chicago's first play of the game. After a Wisconsin punt the Force offense returned to the field and on its third play Grisafe called an audible at the line and hit a streaking Jeanette Gray on a fade route for a 42 yard TD pass to go up 12-0. On the first play of the next Chicago possession Grisafe hit WR Zhubi on a quick pass and she followed a wave of blocks into the end zone for a 45 yard touchdown. After just five offensive plays the Force led by three touchdowns.

Chicago's next possession resulted in another score. This one was a quick pass to WR Ashley Berggren, who followed her blocks before turning on the jets and leaving everyone in her wake as she went 42 yards to the end zone. A two point conversion put the Force up 26-0 at the end of the first quarter. In addition to their aerial assault, the Force was also able to run at will with lead blocker Carolyn Lee and the Force O-line leveling the Wisconsin defenders with pancake blocks. Chicago would score twice more in the second quarter on a 36 yard run by RB Leslie Johnson and a 5 yard run by RB Brandy Hatcher, to go into the locker room leading 38-0 at halftime.

Grisafe, who had another strong outing with 4 passing TD's, turned over the QB duties to Jeanette Gray at halftime. In the second half Chicago took it easy on the Wolves by entirely forgoing their potent passing attack. Sticking with the ground game Chicago tallied 3 more touchdowns - a 2 yard score from RB Niki Swain, another TD from Johnson on a 16 yard sideline dash, and an 18 yard QB keeper by Gray.

Interspersed in between all the offensive fireworks was another dominating performance from the Chicago defense. They pummeled the Wolves, forcing three and outs and flattening their ball carriers. LB's Melissa Whyms, Darcy Leslie and Amber Burns were particularly active, and rookie DE Kina Brown sprung to life in the second half with 2 big hits on tackles for losses.

After two games the defense has not given up any points and is developing a swagger that will serve them well in the critical upcoming home games. The Force is facing what Head Coach Konecki calls "murderer's row" - three consecutive games against former champions (St. Louis, KC and West Michigan). The next home game is April 30th vs. St. Louis Slam in a contest that will have major playoff implications. Kick-off is at 4pm at Winnemac Stadium at 5105 N. Leavitt on Chicago's north side.